Shed kit / installation issues

[Michael Aos]

I talked to the manager of Backyard Products in Denver. As expected, they offered to refund the cost of the floor upgrade (he didn't know exactly what that number was), plus a small amount to compensate for the inconvenience.

He said the other option is they can contact Engineering to see how they can tear it apart and redo the joists. It was assembled with a framing nailer and ring-shank nails. It's not going to come apart easily.

I told him I would call him back next week.

 

[Michael Aos]

I'd raise a ruckus with the grocery store I was paying to be a member of.

Yeah, that might be my best bet. They're usually very accommodating.

 

[Diggin It]

I talked to the manager of Backyard Products in Denver. As expected, they offered to refund the cost of the floor upgrade (he didn't know exactly what that number was), plus a small amount to compensate for the inconvenience.

If that's who is responsible for the warranty, I'd take it IF they allow you to fix it without voiding that warranty.

 

[Doofy]

I talked to the manager of Backyard Products in Denver. As expected, they offered to refund the cost of the floor upgrade (he didn't know exactly what that number was), plus a small amount to compensate for the inconvenience.

He said the other option is they can contact Engineering to see how they can tear it apart and redo the joists. It was assembled with a framing nailer and ring-shank nails. It's not going to come apart easily.

I told him I would call him back next week.

View attachment 582979

Is that your shed in the photo? Fine looking shed.

 

[rgr33]

If you agree to settle for just the $150 that you paid but didn’t receive the agreed upon upgrade, you are then stuck with a shed you didn’t order, and aren’t happy with.

If it’s me, I get “pist” off thinking about it every time I walk past the thing.
No dice, take this thing back, and give me what I ordered.

Fortunately, you are dealing with Costco, a customer friendly outfit. Doubt if they will let you walk away unhappy with their service. You might decide whether you’re really happy with the first shed also, before you make the call.

This is not a case of you being a bad guy, it’s just getting what you paid for.

 

[Doofy]

You could also throw down another layer of flooring using construction adhesive and screws. That would certainly add enough strength.

 

[hawkeye08]

I would still call Costco and let them know. I had trouble with a TV bought at Costco, called the Concierge tech help, got things going, but then when they had to replace it since they could not fix it, I ended up talking to the shipper at one point, basically had to pick new TV up and return old one. Costco called a month later to see how things went, got pretty upset with shipper as Costco paid them for white glove, inside delivery, configure to work properly and remove old TV.. I should not have had to do anything. If you bought from Costco, give them a chance to make it right.

 

[Michael Aos]

I like this idea. The difference between 16" OC and 12" OC over the span of 16' is 4x 2x4's.

The manager at Backyard Products offered to send down a guy to tear up the floor and rebuild it 12" OC, but I just don't even see how that could work. Even if it did "work", the guys that addressed the issues in the first shed had to beat it apart and made a mess of it. I don't think I want them trying to fix it.

Ultimately, it's the 3x 4x4's that are in contact with the shed pad. The 2x4's just distribute the weight. It seems to me I could put down 3/4" plywood (or something) to accomplish roughly the same thing, but I really don't know.

You could also throw down another layer of flooring using construction adhesive and screws. That would certainly add enough strength.

 

[Jstpssng]

How wide is this building? From the looks of that drawing it's the 4x4's which actually are supporting the weight. Seeing that I don't believe that the extra 2x4s will make that much of a difference. Negotiate a reasonable (in your favor) refund, or expect an all new shed if they decline.

 

[newbury]

I like this idea. The difference between 16" OC and 12" OC over the span of 16' is 4x 2x4's.

The manager at Backyard Products offered to send down a guy to tear up the floor and rebuild it 12" OC, but I just don't even see how that could work. Even if it did "work", the guys that addressed the issues in the first shed had to beat it apart and made a mess of it. I don't think I want them trying to fix it.

Ultimately, it's the 3x 4x4's that are in contact with the shed pad. The 2x4's just distribute the weight. It seems to me I could put down 3/4" plywood (or something) to accomplish roughly the same thing, but I really don't know.

View attachment 583249

What is the going rate for competent labor in your area and compare that to the going rate for people who mess it up like they did for you.
About 5 years ago I could get poor quality carpentry work done and redone for about $10/hr, the good guys were $20/hr and booked for their lifetime.

If you figure the guy from Backyard Products was going to cost at least $250 (w/ overhead) PLUS travel they should foot the bill for GOOD plywood, if you install it.
And I mean pressure treated with minimal voids - not the cr@p from Lowes etc., that is 50% void on the onside. Or Advantech OSB SHEATHING.


The material will cost a lot more than a few 2x4's for but I would think it would give you a better floor.

 

[Deere Dude]

I like this idea. The difference between 16" OC and 12" OC over the span of 16' is 4x 2x4's.


View attachment 583249

The difference between 12 and 16" OC would only be 3 or 4 if building fresh. To late for that. The only thing that would work would be to put 1 joist in between every joust so that would be many more, depending on the length.

Tipping it on the side would trash a nice shed by bending stuff and making it out of square.

If 16" is acceptable for heavy loads you may have, like a small tractor etc. then just get the refund for the upgrade and suck it up. If you think it will not be, I would not accept it no matter what. Have them redo it acceptably. The contractor just took the easy way out. He got paid for putting joists 12 OC and he made them 16 OC. Costco will make it good with tipping it on the side and having a lot of kindling from tearing up the floor.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^
Yet if you have decent wood running perpendicular to the floor joists they will provide more support than those few extra 2x4s anyways.
Looking at his diagram I believe that he has it covered, depending on the width of the building. If not he still will accomplish more by adding more cross support than the original plan.

 

[kc5dlo]

If the floor upgrade make the shed 35% stronger, a refund of 35% (plus the 150.00) is in order.

 

[Michael Aos]

I chatted with a very pleasant 1st-level manager (Meghan) at Costco this morning.

She listened to my ordeal. Tooks some photocopies and notes and had me e-mail her some pictures.

She said she would work with the next-level manager at Costco to contact Backyard Products.

So I guess we'll see.

Technically, all of the issues are related to the installation and the installation wasn't purchased through Costco.

(the process is to purchase installation directly from Backyard Products)


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[Michael Aos]

That's not a bad idea. Good thinking.

I suggested a couple options to Costco, including refunding BOTH $600 installation fees ($1200 total) in the form of either a Costco or Backyard Products credit.

We'll see. I feel like we spend a lot of money with Costco (and even more on the Costco Citibank VISA that was used to purchase these) annually and I'd like to think they take that sort of thing into consideration, but I don't know.

If the floor upgrade make the shed 35% stronger, a refund of 35% (plus the 150.00) is in order.

 

[ovrszd]

I didn't know you could buy a building from a grocery store. Wouldn't that be like buying the Christmas Ham from a Lumber Yard?

 

[Jstpssng]

I didn't know you could buy a building from a grocery store. Wouldn't that be like buying the Christmas Ham from a Lumber Yard?

Why do you keep calling it a grocery store? It seems like they sell just about everything.

 

[Deere Dude]

I didn't know you could buy a building from a grocery store. Wouldn't that be like buying the Christmas Ham from a Lumber Yard?

And then wonder why it is not working out

 

[mark02tj]

I didn't know you could buy a building from a grocery store. Wouldn't that be like buying the Christmas Ham from a Lumber Yard?

I think you can buy hams at Menards! :thumbsup:

 

[Diggin It]

Why do you keep calling it a grocery store? It seems like they sell just about everything.

He did it once. I did it once. I don't have that store here, but I would not shop at a place with a required membership fee, no matter what they sell.